What are some of the specific character qualities we can deduce from Scripture that all disciples/leaders should have growing in their lives? When a leader is described, the tendency is to look at the outward appearances, actions, or gifts. It is interesting to note, however, that outward manifestations are rarely, if ever, mentioned in choosing...
Author: Bob Stone
Remember Your Leaders
It is constructive to remember those who have influenced us; those who have lived through testings and trials. The Jewish people were called to remember the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. It is likewise appropriate for us to remember our leaders as well. We might be tempted to drift or to return to our...
The Heart and Ministry of a Great Leader
This session gives us an essential truth for leadership and that is, the heart and ministry of a leader are inseparable. If we intend to be effective and reflect the lordship of Christ in our leadership, then we need to constantly remind ourselves of the relationship between these two. To put it another way: what...
Priorities of a Pastor or a Spiritual Father
When Paul writes his first letter to his young associate, Timothy, he wants to spell out how people should behave in the church and he wants to speak a word to Timothy himself. In this situation, he is going to tell Timothy that at a time like this, he had better get back to fundamentals;...
Job Description of a Spiritual Father and Leader
What is the job description of a spiritual leader? I’m sure we could compile quite a list of expectations. In I Thessalonians 1 & 2, we have an example of Paul’s heart and ministry modeled and described. It is an amazing story and example for us. This passage tells us why the Thessalonians stayed true...
Finishing Well
The key question to ask and answer for all of us is, “How can I finish well?” Supplemental to this question are the related ones: “Who did not finish well?” “Why did they not finish well?” The writer of Hebrews is in effect saying, “Don’t give up too soon; don’t relax before the tape; don’t...
Spiritual Friendships Pt. 2
In our first session on friendship, we looked carefully at the following important principles of building solid friendships:
- Friendship must be God-centered.
- Friendship includes the formation of a commitment/covenant accompanied by a tangible sign(s) of that commitment.
- Friendship is dependent on faithfulness and love.
- Friends show candor and give counsel.
- Purity of heart and gracious speech will make friends.
- True friendship is reciprocal and displays the following character qualities: nonjudgmental, accepting, genuine, self-disclosing, trusting, loving, caring, committed, strong, firm, empathic, willing to listen, loyal, and able to compromise.
- Friendship is listening to the heart, helping a friend to understand his heart.
- Friendship is getting in touch with your friend's unique spirituality, with what God is doing in his life.
- Friendship is getting in touch with the spiritual questions your friend might be asking at each stage in his/her life.
That's what godly, committed and covenantal friendship is all about. But just as important is that we know what are the inappropriate expressions of friendship.
Spiritual Friendships Pt. 1
Qualities That Build Friendships
What are the effects of friendlessness on men and women?
Today people are building fewer friendships and the result is having a destructive effect on many. Before we discuss the specific effects, the following letter addressed to an insurance company illustrates how we need the help of others and why we should not try to function alone. The author is unknown. We will call the letter "Trying to do the job alone."
How do you feed people with finicky spiritual tastes?.
When They’ve Heard It All Before by Craig Brian Larson A year ago my wife’s work schedule shifted, and preparing dinner became my responsibility. My range of meals was limited: a bowl of Wheat Chex and a lunch-meat sandwich. I quickly developed an expanded array of dinners for my boys to choose from: spaghetti with...
A Long Range/Study/Preaching Program.
Taken from The Navigator Bible Studies Handbook, 1979. First Year 1 Thessalonians 1 John Philippians Salvation Witnessing Follow-up Gospel of Mark Character: Barnabas Weeks 7 7 6 2 2 2 18 1 Second Year Colossians Jesus Christ (deity, death, and resurrection) 1 Timothy Character: Timothy Gospel of John Prayer Character: Josiah Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Weeks 6...